Shot Pest Co director succumbs

Businessman Mohammed Baksh, who was shot several times by gunmen on Thomas Street in the city on Friday night, succumbed to his injuries yesterday at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH).

Baksh, also known as Mohammed Shahabudeen Bacchus, was shot several times around 10 pm on Friday night at a grill on Thomas Street during an attack by two armed men. He sustained two gunshot wounds to the head and one to the hand.

Mohammed Baksh

According to a relative, the 43-year-old man, of Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara died shortly before lunch yesterday while undergoing treatment. He said the man was being prepared for surgery at the time.

Stabroek News was told that two gunmen walked up to the table where Baksh, the Director of Pest Control Plus, and his friends were eating and opened fire on him, leaving the others unharmed. However, one of Baksh’s friends injured her foot in the process.

One of Baksh’s friends, who witnessed the attack, related to investigators that after the gunmen entered the restaurant and opened fire on the man, she ran for cover. During the process, she noticed about two persons on motorcycles dodging in different directions.

His brother Mohammed Bacchus told Stabroek News that it was not the first attempt on his brother’s life. The man said there is a matter currently in court stemming from the first attempt on Baksh’s life and the proceedings so far have been in his brother’s favour.

On August 7, 2008 Baksh was shot several times and robbed at his Lamaha Street, North Cummingsburg home by three gunmen. Two men Paul James, 41, of 33 Barrack Street, Kingston, and Dexter Lynch, 36, of Lot 63 West La Penitence Housing Scheme were charged with attempted murder as a result, while a third man is yet to be found.

Baksh was attacked some time around 8.50 pm when he went into his yard to park a car.

The businessman was hit in his right forearm, abdomen and back and a .32 warhead was recovered at the scene by the police.

During the court proceedings, the court was informed the accusation brought against James stemmed from a business deal that had gone sour. However, Baksh allegedly told the court that James owed him $31 million and that they were business partners.

A relative said yesterday that the police “have them work cut out for them”, adding that it is just a matter of time before the perpetrator/s is brought before the courts.